The Star of David Under the Southern Cross: An Account of the Jewish Presence in the Brazilian Armed Forces

August 30, 4 PM @ the Embassy of Brazil

Did you know that the first Israelite military unit formed since the Diaspora in 70 CE fought in Brazil? They were soldiers of the Dutch troops of the House of Orange and Nassau, and were in Recife from 1630 to 1654.

Mr. Israel Blajberg, president of the Brazilian Academy of Terrestrial Military History will present these and more findings about five centuries of Jewish contribution to the military history of Brazil, from colonial to modern times.

Israel Blajberg is a first-generation Brazilian and author of The Star of David under the Southern Cross: an account of the Jewish presence in the Brazilian Armed Forces, launched at the Army Historical Museum and Copacabana Fort to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the allied victory in WWII . Before his retirement in 2015, he taught at Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and Fluminense Federal Universities (UFF) and worked as an engineer at the National Development Bank for Economic and Social development. A graduate of the Brazil’s War College (ESG), Mr. Blajberg is today president of the Brazilian Academy of Terrestrial Military History, in Rio de Janeiro, and Director of Civic Involvement at FIERJ, the Israelite Federation of the State of Rio de Janeiro. Mr. Blajberg is also a recipient of the Brazilian Naval, Military and Air Orders of Merit.